Treatment from a GP

a virus (like viral bronchitis) – this usually clears up by itself after a few weeks and antibiotics won't help

bacteria (like pneumonia) – your GP may prescribe antibiotics (make sure you complete the whole course as advised by your GP, even if you start to feel better)

Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial chest infections. They're not used for treating viral chest infections, such as flu or viral bronchitis, because they don't work for this type of infection.

A sample of your mucus may need to be tested to see what's causing your chest infection.